Legal & Judicial Ethics, 2018 Bar — Question VII

ESSAY

Atty. Celso Casis’ relationship with Miss Cory Cerrada began when he represented her in several criminal cases for estafa and violation of B.P. 22. His expertise and diligence in personally assisting and facilitating her release on bail and other legal actions saved her from many legal predicaments. Despite her initial resistance, Miss Cerrada, convinced by Atty. Casis’ sincerity and representation that he was separated from his wife and was taking necessary steps for the annulment of his marriage, began to live with him openly as husband and wife. One day, Atty. Casis’ wife suddenly entered Miss Cerrada’s home and assaulted her, inflicting injuries. Miss Cerrada then filed a complaint with the IBP charging Atty. Casis with gross immorality and gross misconduct. However, shortly afterwards, upon Atty. Casis’ pleas, Miss Cerrada filed a motion to withdraw the complaint. The IBP had required Atty. Casis to file an answer but he did not do so, relying on Miss Cerrada’s withdrawal of the complaint against him. Can the IBP continue to investigate Atty. Casis and recommend the imposition of sanctions against him, and for the Court to impose sanctions, if warranted, notwithstanding Miss Cerrada’s filing of the motion to withdraw the complaint against him?

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